Program on the Rise: Another Historic Season
The Oakdale High School Girls Basketball program continued to solidify its place among Maryland’s elite with a third consecutive 3A West Region Championship and a trip to the State Semifinals, narrowly falling 46–43 to eventual state champion South River. The 2024–25 season caps off a dominant three-year stretch for the program, highlighted by back-to-back Final Four appearances and the program’s first-ever Division I college commit.
Standout Seniors: Leaving a Lasting Legacy
This year’s senior class helped elevate Oakdale into a perennial powerhouse while setting the tone both on and off the court:
Jane Rape (6’2” Guard/Forward) – Oakdale’s first-ever NCAA Division I commit (Army–West Point), averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds, and led the team in blocks. A four-year varsity contributor, Jane was named 2nd Team All-County.
Emma Carey (PG) – One of the best two-way players in program history. Emma led the team in assists, finished second in steals, and is the only Oakdale player with 599 points, 400+ rebounds, and 300+ assists. A defensive specialist, she regularly locked down high-scoring guards and hit clutch free throws down the stretch.
Mia Sims – Rebounding machine and heart of the paint, Mia led Frederick County in rebounding despite missing games, grabbing nearly 11 boards per game and 456 rebounds over two varsity seasons.
Megan Baker, Addie Macera, and Ava Tran—essential bench leaders and high-energy contributors. Ava, nicknamed “The Microwave,” provided instant offense in key moments.
Rising Stars & All-County Honors
Kenzie Walker (Junior, Guard) – Named Frederick County Player of the Year, a first in Oakdale program history. Kenzie averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and broke the single-season record with 124 steals. Her court vision and basketball IQ made her a true floor general.
Layla McFarland (Junior, Forward) – Oakdale’s leading scorer at 13 points per game, Layla added 9 rebounds per contest and tied the school record with a 30-point game vs. Linganore. A dominant post presence and First Team All-County honoree.
Shay Raiford (Junior, Wing) – A first-year varsity player and immediate impact as the team’s sixth woman. Deadly from deep and dependable under pressure.
Shaylee McGlinchey, Ashlyn Porter, and Sophomore Jasmin Jones also played pivotal roles and are poised to step into larger responsibilities next year.
Defining Games & Turning Points
Early Season Clutch Wins – After opening 4–0, Oakdale pulled off back-to-back dramatic victories, including a 55–53 thriller over Linganore, highlighted by late-game heroics from Kenzie and Layla.
Late January Rematch vs. Linganore – Oakdale shut down one of the highest-scoring teams in the county, holding them to just 33 points while Layla dropped 30 in a dominant win.
Region Final Comeback @ Westminster – Down 31–23 with 6 minutes left, Oakdale surged to a 40–35 victory, securing their third straight regional crown.
State Semifinal Heartbreaker – In a high-stakes rematch with South River (who Oakdale scrimmaged earlier in the year), the Bears came up just short in a 46–43 battle, despite having chances to tie or win in the closing seconds.
Growth & Resilience
The team showed its character through injuries, tough losses, and high-pressure moments:
Layla battled back from a calf injury, returning stronger as the season progressed.
After narrow losses to Frederick, the team responded with a key comeback win over Walkersville and finished the regular season strong.
The girls displayed maturity, poise, and leadership all year long, no matter the challenge.
The Senior Class Impact
This group leaves behind a winning legacy:
3 straight Region Championships
2 State Final Four appearances
Countless program-first accomplishments
They’ve also been role models off the court—upholding academic excellence, mentoring younger players, and supporting the broader Oakdale community.
What’s Next: Building the Future
With stars like Kenzie Walker and Layla McFarland returning, and a talented supporting cast (Shaylee, Shay, Ashlyn, Jasmin), the Bears are poised to remain contenders in 2026.
Additionally, three players were pulled up from JV during the playoff run and showed strong promise. Combined with a strong incoming 8th-grade class, the foundation is set for continued excellence.
The coaching staff—Larry, Rian, Greg, and Todd—has been instrumental in maintaining stability and success. Their commitment to developing players on and off the court is unmatched.
Offseason Goals
The Bears will focus on:
Staying healthy
Individual skill development
Evaluating new ideas and strategies
As always, the offseason is for player growth—preparing every athlete to compete, improve, and step into bigger roles next year.
 – Oakdale’s first-ever NCAA Division I commit (Army–West Point), averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds, and led the team in blocks. A four-year varsity contributor, Jane was named 2nd Team All-County.
Emma Carey (PG) – One of the best two-way players in program history. Emma led the team in assists, finished second in steals, and is the only Oakdale player with 599 points, 400+ rebounds, and 300+ assists. A defensive specialist, she regularly locked down high-scoring guards and hit clutch free throws down the stretch.
Mia Sims – Rebounding machine and heart of the paint, Mia led Frederick County in rebounding despite missing games, grabbing nearly 11 boards per game and 456 rebounds over two varsity seasons.
Megan Baker, Addie Macera, and Ava Tran—essential bench leaders and high-energy contributors. Ava, nicknamed “The Microwave,” provided instant offense in key moments.
Rising Stars & All-County Honors
Kenzie Walker (Junior, Guard) – Named Frederick County Player of the Year, a first in Oakdale program history. Kenzie averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and broke the single-season record with 124 steals. Her court vision and basketball IQ made her a true floor general.
Layla McFarland (Junior, Forward) – Oakdale’s leading scorer at 13 points per game, Layla added 9 rebounds per contest and tied the school record with a 30-point game vs. Linganore. A dominant post presence and First Team All-County honoree.
Shay Raiford (Junior, Wing) – A first-year varsity player and immediate impact as the team’s sixth woman. Deadly from deep and dependable under pressure.
Shaylee McGlinchey, Ashlyn Porter, and Sophomore Jasmin Jones also played pivotal roles and are poised to step into larger responsibilities next year.
Defining Games & Turning Points
Early Season Clutch Wins – After opening 4–0, Oakdale pulled off back-to-back dramatic victories, including a 55–53 thriller over Linganore, highlighted by late-game heroics from Kenzie and Layla.
Late January Rematch vs. Linganore – Oakdale shut down one of the highest-scoring teams in the county, holding them to just 33 points while Layla dropped 30 in a dominant win.
Region Final Comeback @ Westminster – Down 31–23 with 6 minutes left, Oakdale surged to a 40–35 victory, securing their third straight regional crown.
State Semifinal Heartbreaker – In a high-stakes rematch with South River (who Oakdale scrimmaged earlier in the year), the Bears came up just short in a 46–43 battle, despite having chances to tie or win in the closing seconds.
Growth & Resilience
The team showed its character through injuries, tough losses, and high-pressure moments:
Layla battled back from a calf injury, returning stronger as the season progressed.
After narrow losses to Frederick, the team responded with a key comeback win over Walkersville and finished the regular season strong.
The girls displayed maturity, poise, and leadership all year long, no matter the challenge.
The Senior Class Impact
This group leaves behind a winning legacy:
3 straight Region Championships
2 State Final Four appearances
Countless program-first accomplishments
They’ve also been role models off the court—upholding academic excellence, mentoring younger players, and supporting the broader Oakdale community.
What’s Next: Building the Future
With stars like Kenzie Walker and Layla McFarland returning, and a talented supporting cast (Shaylee, Shay, Ashlyn, Jasmin), the Bears are poised to remain contenders in 2026.
Additionally, three players were pulled up from JV during the playoff run and showed strong promise. Combined with a strong incoming 8th-grade class, the foundation is set for continued excellence.
The coaching staff—Larry, Rian, Greg, and Todd—has been instrumental in maintaining stability and success. Their commitment to developing players on and off the court is unmatched.
Offseason Goals
The Bears will focus on:
Staying healthy
Individual skill development
Evaluating new ideas and strategies
As always, the offseason is for player growth—preparing every athlete to compete, improve, and step into bigger roles next year.
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